The Pistons will reach the midway point of the season on Monday with a solid grip on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. How have they achieved that status? In a subscriber-only story, The Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II breaks down three key elements to their success.
Sankofa highlights the Pistons’ defensive rating, points in the paint, and efficiency rating — they rank second in the league in each of those categories. Sankofa adds that the Pistons have won at least 30 of their first 40 games for just the second time in franchise history (along with 2005/06) and are on pace to win more than 60 games.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Key reserve and 2024 lottery pick Ron Holland is questionable to play in Monday’s showdown with the Celtics due to an illness, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic tweets. The Pistons and Celtics hold the top two spots in the Eastern Conference. Holland is averaging 8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 21.1 minutes per game this season.
- As you might expect, Sanfoka gives out a lot of high midterm grades to the members of the roster. Isaiah Stewart and Daniss Jenkins got As, while Jalen Duren earned an A-minus. What about Cade Cunningham? He gets a B-plus — his subpar three-point shooting dragged down his grade — and no one got anything lower than a B-minus.
- Speaking of Stewart and Duren, “Dawg Pound” is now painted above their lockers in Detroit’s home arena. Why? The Athletic’s Fred Katz interviews the big man duo to explain the mentality they take on and off the court.
Need another center to be a real contender.
You mean another shooter, right? Duren and Stewart are one of the league’s best duos at the 5, and Paul Reed is quietly excellent when they need him. Even Tolu Smith looks pretty nice!
Yeah you keep believing. I only see one center …..
Wait, which one?? Stew has the best defensive fg% at the rim in the entire league (and was top 3 last year too, if you thought it was a fluke) … is Duren a PF then??
Yes
I think you are confused what a 4 and 5 is. No 6’ 8” center is taking you anywhere. And last yr at 19.9 mins. You think he affected the game. Teams go small half the game. In the playoffs is where you see real centers. And this yr he’s playing 23 mins. All the top teams have real centers. Not 4’s you call centers.
Yeah man, I DO think he affected the game. Put away the box scores and watch him play — Stewart is a legit defensive anchor. Yeah he’s shorter than most modern fives (though long wingspan helps his standing reach), but he gets it done with IQ, strength, and quick feet. And he can guard in space, so you’re not always locked into drop coverage. Free your mind!
(Also Al, I promise this isn’t a burner account created just to troll you! But as you can see, I show up for Beef Stew, no exceptions. If he kicks a puppy I’ll be here to tell you why the puppy needed it.)
Not to beat your overrated team.
The day that happens you can talk ….. you still washing your draws from the last playoff beating …..
Ease up, dudes. As a Pistons guy living in NYC, all I heard was respect all around at the end of the series. Legit could’ve gone either way, hard fought, real b-ball. If we get a rivalry out of it, let’s make it the respectable kind, eh?
I’m not the one talking. We won….
Good to support your team. I have been pushing Pistons young talent for yrs now. I have a goid idea who they are.
Pistons have to be feeling good to be up. With Cade not scoring, 7 ast though. Think Brown making a statement ……. He said “I got Cade” 19 pts .
Giannis is best 2Way player in the world. With Wemby coming on … Jalen is up there. SGA, Fox
Even tonight’s gm you are getting out rebounded. And Celtics don’t have good centers. Just size.
I’m sure Jackson can handle Jokic and Wemby. Yeah maybe in a bike race …..
But who in the league *can* handle Jokic or Wemby? Those are the two least handle-able guys! Anyway just think the bigger priority for the Pistons is shooting. And don’t want them moving too many future assets unless it’s for a sure thing or a long-term upgrade. You all have been in full win-now mode … we just got here!
You have to play them right. It means you handle them enough to win. Why are you talking about them. You can’t handle Queta, Towns, Allen, Mobley, Embiid, Magic bigs. You think it’s smart to have only Duren. Pistons haven’t done squat. Now they are big time with ONE center. Just don’t get lost at playoffs.
Duren, Stewart and Reed need to move to PF.
Trade for Myles Turner
You and Al sure are passionate about the Pistons needing another C. Wait, is THIS Al’s burner account??
No my name is Luke and have nothing to do with AI. Yes I agree the Pistons need another C and don’t consider Duran a C. I think the Pistons don’t even have one C on the roster
Good win ….. Knicks going thru some bumps now. Not worried about anyone in East. Just like Celtics have stepped up. So will the Magic and Cavs. Even Sixers fully healthy are dangerous. Long way to go yet.
Better to add a center now. Then to go in playoffs and wish you had one. You think you can go 7 with Celtics.???? Well Magic, Cavs, Sixers, Knicks all have size.